Around Town: Spend to Save, Free Parking Days

Spend Money to Save Money

Forest Park commissioners this week authorized the village to borrow up to $7 million to refinance debt that was taken on seven years ago for street and alley improvements throughout town.

Forest Park will continue to pay off the $6.5 million in bonds, sold in 2005, to pay for the projects. The village decided to issue the new debt to take advantage of lower interest rates, Village Administrator Tim Gillian said.

What that interest rate will be won’t be known until the debt is issued next week, said Gillian, but conservatively it could save as much as $400,000 over the 25-year life of the sale.

This set of bonds will be paid off in 2025.

Good News for Shoppers

It'll be a holiday from change in Forest Park.

Shoppers won’t need to bring extra change with them when they go shopping in the Forest Park business districts next month.

To attract business, the village is putting red bags on all meters along Madison Street and Roosevelt Road and in the municipal lot on Thomas and Madison streets. 

That means you're free to park for free.

Honoring World AIDS Day

To mark World AIDS Day, the Forest Park chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will distribute red ribbons and information starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd.

Material will focus on protection against AIDS, where to get tested and how to show compassion for those living with the illness. Other library materials also will be available.

For more information, call the library at 366-7171.

And Don't Forget

The annual Holiday Walk will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. Decorated windows, pictures of Santa and more will take place along Madison Street.

The event is sponsored by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Development.